HanesBrands
(336) 519-8080
news release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News
Media, contact: Matt Hall, (336) 519-3386; matt.hall@hanesbrands.com
HANESBRANDS TO CLOSE GEAR FOR SPORTS CHILLICOTHE, MO., PLANT
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Oct. 3, 2011) – HanesBrands today announced that it will close its Chillicothe, Mo., apparel decorating and screen-printing plant in December and move production to a new lower-cost company facility in Mexico.
The end of production at the plant, which is used by the company’s Gear For Sports business, will affect approximately 125 employees. The company will provide employees with longevity bonuses and will work with local, state and federal authorities on providing career transition assistance for employees.
“We regret the loss of jobs for our Chillicothe employees,” said Craig Peterson, Gear For Sports general manager of operations, finance and administration. “The Chillicothe plant is a well-run operation with a tremendous workforce. This decision is not a reflection on the capabilities and dedication of our employees. We would like to thank them for their contributions over the years.”
To maintain competitiveness, HanesBrands is opening a new apparel decorating and screen-print facility in Reynosa, Mexico, that will replace the Chillicothe plant’s production for Gear For Sports and will supply other HanesBrands retail apparel businesses. The new plant will operate with lower costs and higher efficiency, consistent with HanesBrands supply chain strategy of operating fewer, larger facilities in lower-cost countries.
The 50,000-square-foot Chillicothe plant, located at 591 E. Business Highway 36, began operations in 2001 and makes decorated T-shirts and other logo apparel that is sold primarily in the collegiate market. The company plans to sell the property after operations cease.
Gear For Sports will continue to operate its apparel embroidery and decoration production facility in Lenexa, Kan., to supply the market with high-quality graphic apparel ordered with short lead times.
HanesBrands, one the world’s largest producers of basic apparel, acquired Gear For Sports, which sells embellished licensed logo apparel in the collegiate bookstore and other channels, in November 2010.
HanesBrands
HanesBrands is a leading socially responsible manufacturer
and marketer of everyday basic apparel under some of the world’s strongest
apparel brands, including Hanes, Champion, Playtex, Bali, JMS/Just My Size, barely there, Wonderbra
and Gear For
Sports. The company sells T-shirts, bras, panties, men’s underwear,
children’s underwear, socks, hosiery, casualwear and activewear produced in the
company’s low-cost global supply chain. Hanes has approximately 55,000
employees in more than 25 countries and takes pride in its strong reputation
for ethical business practices. More information about the company and its
corporate social responsibility initiatives, including environmental, social
compliance and community improvement achievements, may be found on the Hanes
corporate website at www.hanesbrands.com.
Hanes is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Partner of the Year
for 2010 and 2011 and ranks No. 91 on Newsweek magazine’s Top 500 greenest
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